Chief Nursing Officer

Chief Nursing OfficerSSM St. Mary's Hospital – Madison is a 440-bed, not-for-profit general medical and surgical facility located at 700 South Park Street in Madison, Wisconsin. Founded in 1912 by the Sisters of Mary, the hospital has grown into a major tertiary care provider and is a vital part of the broader SSM Health regional network. It operates as an American College of Surgeons-verified Level II Trauma Center, a Joint Commission-certified Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center, and features a specialized Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The hospital provides a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services—including cardiology, orthopedics, neuroscience, and family birth care—and routinely ranks among the top regional hospitals in Wisconsin according to U.S. News & World Report. The facility also houses the largest adult inpatient behavioral health unit in Dane County.SSM St. Mary's Hospital – Madison's quality of care has also sustained strong national praise, including a 4-Star Overall Quality Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and specific distinction by Forbes as one of America's Top Hospitals.SSM St. Mary's Hospital – Madison is currently navigating a significant transition. Approximately 900 nurses at the facility voted to unionize under SEIU Wisconsin.Reporting to SSM Health's Regional Chief Nursing Officer, with a dotted line to the hospital's President, the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) provides strategic leadership for nursing and patient care services, developing short- and long-term goals and plans aligned with organizational priorities and vision. The CNO leads the development and implementation of nursing practice standards, guidelines, and evidence-based care practices to ensure safe, high-quality, patient-centered care. Using key performance metrics, the CNO drives improvements in patient safety, clinical outcomes, patient, employee, and physician satisfaction, operational efficiency, and continuous quality improvement. The CNO oversees workforce planning, recruitment, engagement, professional development, succession planning, and performance management while fostering a collaborative, ethical, and accountable culture. This leader ensures regulatory and accreditation compliance, promotes effective use of electronic health records, supports seamless transitions of care across settings, and maintains fiscal responsibility through strategic budget development, resource allocation, and performance management to optimize quality, efficiency, and value.Qualifications:Master's Degree required4+ years of Nursing Leadership experiencePrior experience in a union facility is highly preferredRegistered Nurse (RN) issued by Compact State or;Registered Nurse (RN) – Wisconsin Dept. of Safety and Professional ServicesLocationMadison, Wisconsin, combines the vibrancy of a college town with a rich cultural scene and abundant outdoor recreation. Home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison and situated between Lakes Mendota and Monona, the city offers historic landmarks, locally owned shops and restaurants, parks, and more than 200 miles of biking and hiking trails. Residents and visitors enjoy year-round outdoor activities, botanical gardens, museums, farmers' markets, craft breweries, live music, festivals, and Badger athletics. Madison's blend of urban amenities, natural beauty, and strong community character makes it an attractive place to live, work, and explore.